In all these positions the feet must be turned outward to form not less than a right angle.
Much, if not all, of the adverse criticism of the Boston which has been offered by educators, parents and other responsible objectors, has been directed at the relative positions of the partners. This is, in fact, no more than the general rule as regards the Social Round Dance, with the possible exception that the positions have been sometimes distorted by attempts to copy the freer forms of dancing that have been presented upon the stage.
The Round Dance demands that a certain fixed grouping of the partners be maintained in order that the rotation around a common moving centre may be accomplished, and it is here that the most serious problem is to be found.
The dancing profession long ago undertook to settle upon arbitrary groupings satisfactory to the needs of the dancers, and conforming to all the requirements of propriety and hygienic exercise.
Acting upon this basis, the reputable teachers of dancing throughout the world have adopted and promulgated three fundamental groupings for the Round Dance which are so constructed as to provide the greatest ease of execution and freedom of action. They are known as the Waltz Position, the Open Position, and the Side Position of the Waltz. All round dances are executed in one or another of these groupings, which are not only accepted by all good teachers, but, with the exception of certain minor and unimportant variations, rigidly adhered to in all their work.
In the Waltz Position the partners stand facing one another, with shoulders parallel, and looking over one another's right shoulder. Special attention must be paid to the parallel position of the shoulders, in order to fit the individual movements of the partners along the line of direction.
The gentleman places his right hand lightly upon the lady's back, at a point about half-way across, between the waist-line and the shoulder-blades. The fingers are so rounded as to permit the free circulation of air between the palm of the hand and the lady's back, and should not be spread.
The lady places her left hand lightly upon the gentleman's arm, allowing her fore-arm to rest gently upon his arm. The partners stand at an easy distance from one another, inclining toward the common centre very slightly. The free hands are lightly joined at the side. This is merely to provide occupation for the disengaged arms, and the gentleman holds the tip of the lady's hand lightly in the bended fingers of his own. Guiding is accomplished by the gentleman through a slight lifting of his right elbow.